artist - curator - researcher
Venessa Possum is a Dharug Muringong-baragal woman acknowledging an Irish ancestry.
She is confirmed as a candidate in a Doctor of Philosophy in Fine Art and Craft at the Queensland College of Art Griffith University (2020). Previous studies include a Bachelor of Contemporary Indigenous Art (CAIA) and Bachelor of Fine Art in Honours / Awarded Chancellor University Medal (2014-17).
Prior to any Aboriginal identified visual art courses being delivered in Australia, she studied a Certificate in Visual Art with Honours at the National Art School (1986-88).
QUOTE
"Living languages are intervening everything I need to know and do. As an artist, I keep my options open, particularly in relation to materials. I am also reluctant to situate my art or research in a specific discipline, because I am collecting whatever emerges"
(Venessa dyubigil Possum 2023)
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2023 Selected artist in resident Kandos / Cementa24
2022-23 Selected artist Penrith Regional Gallery "Undercurrents"
2022-23 Selected artist Blue Mountains Cultural Centre "Water Presence and Absence"
(Included presenting a public weaving program)
2020-21 Selected artist 22nd Biennale of Sydney Native Institute
(Included two publications)
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2020 Selected artist and cultural consultant "Terra inFirma" Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts
(Terra InFirma - Highly commended at the IMAGinE Awards in 2021 /Curator Paul Howard)
2020 Selected artist Tarnanthi "Grandmother Lore/Law"
(Curator Amanda Jane Reynolds)
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2020 Selected artist is residence and a solo exhibition, Hurstville Museum and Gallery
2019 Awarded Aboriginal Art Prize, Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts "Damara-Hand"
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2019 Curator Q Theatre Penrith, muru yuu yura (murura yiyura)
Pathways and Peoples Connectivity, co-curator Nathan Sentance
(Included a publication in Audrey Journal)
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2018 Lecturer Aboriginal Art and Culture, Queensland College of Art Griffith University
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2017 Scholarship awarded, Candidate Doctor of Philosophy in Fine Art and Craft,
Queensland College of Art, Griffith University
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2016 - 2017 Arrow Energy Scholarship
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2015 - 2019, Stella Stories - Possum skin cloak reparations
Production assistant on "ngawiya maan," a film for "Gadi" at the Australian Museum
(Gadi - Winner of the IMAGinE ‘Exhibition Projects – Museums’ award)
2016 Volunteer traineeship - Griffith University Art Museum and Collection
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2010 - 2013 Curator - Stories and Songs of the People, Bellingen, NSW
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2012 - 2013 Borambola, Aboriginal women’s cultural workshops, Wagga Wagga, NSW
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1994 - 1998 Curator and owner, Alfred Street Studios and Exhibition Space, Brisbane
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1996 - 1998 Teacher – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Unit, TAFE QLD, Brisbane
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